Connecticut Beer: A History of Nutmeg State Brewing

by Will Siss, Ron Page (Foreword by)

Overview

The history of the frothy beverage in Connecticut dates back to early colonists, who used it to quench their thirst in the absence of clean drinking water. So integral was beer to daily life in the colony that government officials and militiamen congregated in taverns like the General Wolfe to talk laws and business over pints of ale. Over the next two centuries, the number of breweries rose and then declined, especially after Prohibition. It was not until the 1980s that homebrewers brought this vital Nutmeg State tradition back to life, hatching the likes of New England and Cottrell Brewing Companies, as well as brewpubs including City Steam and Southport Brewing. More recently, small operations with one or two people, such as Relic and Beer'd, are changing the landscape again. Connecticut beer writer Will Siss introduces readers to the hardworking people who keep the breweries and beer bars inviting and the hoppy history alive.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626197930
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	04/27/2015
Series:	American Palate
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	1,076,056
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Will Siss is a Connecticut local who has been writing the "Beer Snob" column for the Waterbury Republican-American since 2005. Will earned a BA in English from Gettysburg College and an MS from the Columbia School of Journalism. When he is not writing about beer he is leading beer-tasting presentations, writing humor pieces and playing in a band. To learn more visit beersnobwrites.com.

Table of Contents

Foreword Ron Page 7

Acknowledgements 9

Author's Note 11

Introduction 13

Connecticut Beer: A Brief History 15

New England Brewing Company 28

BruRm & BAR 34

Cottrell Brewing Company 38

City Steam Brewery Café 42

Southport Brewing Company 47

Willimantic Brewing Company 52

Olde Burnside Brewing Company 56

Thomas Hooker Brewing Company 59

Cambridge House Brewpub 63

Back East Brewing Company 67

Thimble Island Brewing Company 71

Beer'd Brewing Company 74

Half Full Brewing Company 78

Relic Brewing Company 82

Two Roads Brewing Company 86

Broad Brook Brewing Company 90

Firefly Hollow Brewing Company 93

Shebeen Brewing Company 97

Top Shelf Brewing Company 100

DuVig Brewing Company 103

OEC Brewing Company 106

Overshores Brewing Company 110

Stubborn Beauty Brewing Company 113

Black Hog Brewing Company 116

Black Pond Brewing Company 120

Powder Hollow Brewery 124

Other Connecticut Beers 127

Appendix I Breweries on the Horizon 133

Appendix II Connecticut Beer Bars 135

Bibliography 149

Index 151

About the Author 157